Sheriff Disputes Fire Department Timeline In Fatal Black Forest Fire
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - The El Paso County sheriff has released a timeline of the Black Forest wildfire that contradicts a description released by local fire officials.
The document released Monday by Sheriff Terry Maketa says state fire managers took control from Black Forest Fire/Rescue Chief Bob Harvey 1 hour and 40 minutes later than Harvey's agency said.
It was the latest round in Maketa's dispute with Harvey.
The dispute began in November when Harvey said the fire was intentionally set. Maketa, whose department is investigating, said deputies hadn't determined that. Maketa also questioned how well Harvey managed the fire.
A spokesman for Black Forest Fire/Rescue questioned why Maketa issued the timeline but declined to comment further, saying a review is underway.
The June fire killed two people and destroyed 486 houses.
LINK: El Paso County Sheriff's Department Version of the Timeline
Wildfire Resources
- Visit CBSDenver.com's Wildfire Resources section.
- Read recent Wildfire stories.
Wildfire Photo Galleries
- See images from the most destructive wildfires (Black Forest, Waldo Canyon, High Park and Fourmile) and largest wildfire (Hayman) in Colorado history.
(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)